Here you can browse the House of Commons Order of Business for Tuesday 27th March.

Notes:
* indicates a question for oral answer.
[R] indicates that the Member has declared a relevant interest.
Questions for oral answer not reached receive a written answer.
Supplementary questions will also be asked. Other Ministers may also answer.

+ indicates Government business.
Timings are indicative only.

At 2.30 p.m. Prayers

Afterwards

Oral Questions to the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs

*1

Mr Michael Fallon (Sevenoaks): When he next plans to meet the Zimbabwean High Commissioner to discuss the rule of law in Zimbabwe.

(
154087
)

*2

Mr Nigel Waterson (Eastbourne): If he will make a statement on US-British co-operation on defence.

(
154088
)

*3

Mr John Townend (East Yorkshire): What plans he has to visit Zimbabwe to discuss human rights; and if he will make a statement.

(
154089
)

*4

Dr Norman A. Godman (Greenock and Inverclyde): If he discussed matters relating to the UN administration of Kosovo when he last met his colleagues representing other member states of NATO.

(
154090
)

*5

Sir Teddy Taylor (Rochford and Southend East): If he will make a statement on relations with Pakistan.

(
154091
)

*6

Mr Adrian Bailey (West Bromwich West): If he will make a statement on recent initiatives to tackle the international trade in illegal drugs.

(
154092
)

*7

Mr Andrew Mackinlay (Thurrock): Which members of the Government have visited Belgrade since October 2000.

(
154093
)

*8

Mr Stephen O'Brien (Eddisbury): If he will make a statement on the situation in Zimbabwe.

(
154094
)

*9

Mr Roger Gale (North Thanet): What plans he has to meet President Mugabe; and if he will make a statement.

(
154095
)

*10

Caroline Flint (Don Valley): When he expects the UK to seek ratification of the Treaty setting up the International Criminal Court.

(
154096
)

*11

Mr Andrew Dismore (Hendon): If he will make a statement on the situation in the Middle East.

(
154097
)

*12

Mr Jim Cunningham (Coventry South): When he plans to take steps to enable the UK to ratify the Treaty of Nice.

(
154098
)

*13

Mr Gerald Howarth (Aldershot): What plans he has to meet Morgan Tsvangerai to discuss the present situation in Zimbabwe.

(
154099
)

*14

Mr John Wilkinson (Ruislip-Northwood): What contact he has had with the governments of Belgium and France and with the Commission of the European Union about the recent visit of President Mugabe of Zimbabwe to Brussels and Paris.

(
154100
)

*15

Mr Andrew Robathan (Blaby): If he will make a statement on the current situation in Sierra Leone.

(
154101
)

*16

Mr John McFall (Dumbarton): What discussions he has had with the Bolivian Government on the drugs trade in coca crops.

(
154102
)

*17

Mr Simon Hughes (North Southwark and Bermondsey): What his latest assessment is of the prospects for the reunification of Cyprus.

(
154104
)

*18

Mr Win Griffiths (Bridgend): If he will make a statement on his policy on Burma following the International Labour Organisation's decision on forced labour conditions.

(
154105
)

*19

Mr David Lammy (Tottenham): What discussions he has had with the Government of Brazil regarding the problem of forced labour.

(
154106
)

*20

Mr Paul Goggins (Wythenshawe and Sale East): What representations he has made on human rights in Colombia to the 57th Session of the UN Commission on Human Rights.

(
154107
)

*21

Mr Michael Jack (Fylde): When he last made representations to the Indian Government on the question of a purchase of Hawk aircraft.

(
154108
)

*22

Mr Harold Best (Leeds North West): If he will make a statement on the prospects for elections in East Timor.

(
154109
)

*23

Mr John Healey (Wentworth): If he will make a statement on the state of bilateral relations between Britain and Luxembourg.

(
154110
)

*24

Mr Ben Bradshaw (Exeter): If he will make a statement on the situation in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.

(
154111
)

*25

Mr Peter Luff (Mid Worcestershire): When he next plans to visit China; and if he will make a statement.

(
154112
)

*26

Mr Tony Baldry (Banbury): What discussions he has had with the South African Government concerning the economic crisis in Zimbabwe.

(
154113
)

*27

Mrs Louise Ellman (Liverpool, Riverside): What recent representations he has made to the Palestinian Authority in relation to terrorist attacks in Israel.

(
154114
)

*28

Mr Clive Efford (Eltham): If he will make a statement on recent initiatives to tackle the international trade in illegal drugs.

(
154115
)

*29

Mr Michael Fabricant (Lichfield): If he will make a statement on bilateral relations with Zimbabwe.

(
154116
)

*30

Fiona Mactaggart (Slough): If he will make a statement on the human rights situation in Kashmir.

(
154117
)

*31

Helen Jones (Warrington North): If he will make a statement on the prospects for elections in East Timor.

(
154118
)

*32

Mrs Eleanor Laing (Epping Forest): What discussions he has had with the Chairman of the Westminster Foundation for Democracy on the development of democracy in the Third World.

(
154119
)

*33

Sir Sydney Chapman (Chipping Barnet): If he will make a statement on progress in the Middle East peace initiative.

(
154120
)

*34

Julia Drown (South Swindon): If he will make a statement on the prospect for elections in East Timor.

(
154121
)

*35

Mr Tam Dalyell (Linlithgow): If he will make a statement on relations with Libya.

(
154122
)

*36

Mr Robert Syms (Poole): What assessment he has made of the situation in Vojvodina.

(
154123
)

*37

Bob Russell (Colchester): When he expects British citizenship to be restored to residents of the Island of St. Helena.

(
154124
)

*38

Mr David Tredinnick (Bosworth): What assessment he has made of the impact of the Charter of Fundamental Rights on EU law; and if he will make a statement.

(
154125
)

*39

Mr Desmond Browne (Kilmarnock and Loudoun): What measures his Department is taking to assist the peace process in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

(
154126
)

At 3.30 p.m.

Private Notice Questions (if any)Ministerial Statements (if any)

Preliminary Business

Notices of Presentation of Bills

1

LOCAL ELECTIONS (FREE DELIVERY OF ELECTION ADDRESSES) [No debate]

Mr Andrew Mackinlay

Bill to provide for the free delivery of one election address to each household from each candidate in the local government elections to be held in May 2001.

Formal first reading: no debate or decision.

2

REPRESENTATION OF GIBRALTAR AT WESTMINSTER AND IN THE EUROPEAN UNION [No debate]

Mr Andrew Mackinlay

Bill to provide for representation of Gibraltar by a Member of Parliament, subject to limitations, in the Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland; for the inclusion of Gibraltar in a European parliamentary constituency; for the right of the chief minister to petition the House of Commons at the bar of the House; and for related purposes.

Formal first reading: no debate or decision.

3

PARDON FOR SOLDIERS OF THE GREAT WAR [No debate]

Mr Andrew Mackinlay

Bill to provide for the granting of pardons to soldiers of the British Empire Forces executed during the Great War of 1914 to 1919 following conviction for offences of cowardice, desertion or attempted desertion, disobedience, quitting post, violence, sleeping at post, throwing away arms or striking a superior officer; and for connected purposes.

That the following provisions shall apply to the Social Security Fraud Bill [Lords]:

Standing Committee

1. The Bill shall be committed to a Standing Committee.

2. The Standing Committee shall have leave to sit twice on the first day on which it shall meet.

3. Proceedings in the Standing Committee shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion on Thursday 12th April 2001.

Consideration and Third Reading

4. Proceedings on consideration shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion at nine o'clock on the day on which those proceedings are commenced or, if that day is a Thursday, at six o'clock on that day.

5. Proceedings on Third Reading shall (so far as not previously concluded) be brought to a conclusion at ten o'clock on the day on which those proceedings are commenced or, if that day is a Thursday, at seven o'clock on that day.

6. Sessional Order B (Programming Committees) made by the House on 7th November 2000 shall not apply to proceedings on consideration and Third Reading.

Lords messages

7. Paragraphs (6) and (7) of Sessional Order A (varying and supplementing programme motions) made by the House on 7th November 2000 shall not apply to proceedings on any motion to vary or supplement this order for the purpose of allocating time to proceedings on consideration of any messages from the Lords, and the question on any such motion shall be put forthwith.

The Speaker will put the Question not later than 45 minutes after proceedings begin (Order of 7th November 2000).

That, for the purposes of any Act resulting from the Social Security Fraud Bill [Lords], it is expedient to authorise the payment out of money provided by Parliament of

(a) any expenditure incurred by the Secretary of State for or in connection with the carrying out of his functions under that Act; and

(b) any increase attributable to that Act in the sums which are payable out of money so provided under any other Act.

To be decided without debate (Standing Order No. 52(1)(a)).

+ 8

SUPREME COURT OF ENGLAND AND WALES [No debate]

Mr David Lock

That the draft General Commissioners of Income Tax (Costs) Regulations 2001, which were laid before this House on 12th March, be approved.

To be decided without debate (Standing Order No. 118(6)).

+ 9

JUSTICES OF THE PEACE [No debate]

Mr David Lock

That the draft Justices and Justices' Clerks (Costs) Regulations 2001, which were laid before this House on 12th March, be approved.

To be decided without debate (Standing Order No. 118(6)).

+ 10

FINANCIAL SERVICES AND MARKETS [No debate]

Miss Melanie Johnson

That the draft Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2001, which was laid before this House on 16th March, be approved.

To be decided without debate (Standing Order No. 118(6)).

+ 11

PARTNERSHIPS [No debate]

Mr Secretary Byers

That the Limited Liability Partnerships (Fees) (No. 2) Regulations 2001 (S.I., 2001, No. 969) dated 14th March 2001, a copy of which was laid before this House on 14th March, be approved.

To be decided without debate (Standing Order No. 118(6)).

+ 12

LOCAL GOVERNMENT [No debate]

Mr Secretary Prescott

That the draft Local Authorities (Alternative Arrangements) (England) Regulations 2001, which were laid before this House on 15th March, be approved.

To be decided without debate (Standing Order No. 118(6)).

+ 13

LOCAL GOVERNMENT FINANCE [No debate]

Mr Secretary Prescott

That the Local Government Finance (England) Special Grant Report (No. 78), on the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund (HC 335), which was laid before this House on 15th March, be approved.

To be decided without debate (Standing Order No. 118(6)).

+ 14

LOCAL GOVERNMENT [No debate]

Mr Secretary Prescott

That the draft Local Authorities (Conduct of Referendums) (England) Regulations 2001, which were laid before this House on 13th March, be approved.

To be decided without debate (Standing Order No. 118(6)).

+ 15

LIAISON COMMITTEE (SUB-COMMITTEE) [No debate after 10.00 p.m.]

Margaret Beckett

That Standing Order No. 145 (Liaison Committee) be amended as follows:

Line 31, at end add

`( ) The committee shall have power to appoint a sub-committee, which shall have power to send for persons, papers and records, to sit notwithstanding any adjournment of the House, and to report to the committee from time to time.

( ) The committee shall have power to report from time to time the minutes of evidence taken before the sub-committee.

Motion made, and Question proposed, That the Select Committee on Science and Technology shall have leave to meet concurrently with any committee of the Lords on science and technology or any sub-committee thereof, for the purpose of deliberating or taking evidence, and to communicate to any such committee its evidence or any other documents relating to matters of common interest (Paddy Tipping).

If opposed, this item cannot be taken after 10.00 p.m.

+ 17

SELECT COMMITTEES (JOINT MEETINGS) [No debate after 10.00 p.m.]

Margaret Beckett
Paddy Tipping

That Standing Order No. 152 (Select committees related to government departments) be amended as follows:

Line 40, before the word `European' insert the words `Environmental Audit Committee or with the'.

Line 50, before the word `European' insert the words `Environmental Audit Committee or with the'.

Line 52, at the end insert the words:

`(4A) notwithstanding paragraphs (2) and (4) above, where more than two committees or sub-committees appointed under this order meet concurrently in accordance with paragraph (4)(e) above, the quorum of each such committee or sub-committee shall be two.'.

If opposed, this item cannot be taken after 10.00 p.m.

At the end of the sitting:

18

ADJOURNMENT

Proposed subject: Walsgrave Hospital (Mr Geoffrey Robinson).

Debate may continue until 10.30 p.m. or for half an hour, whichever is later (Standing Order No. 9).

Immediately after the meeting of the Joint Committee on Statutory Instruments

Room 7 (private)

JOINT COMMITTEE

12

Statutory Instruments

4.15 p.m.

Room 7 (private)

[The decision of a Committee to sit in public may be rescinded without notice.]

Written Questions tabled on Monday 26th March for answer today++

1

Mr Tom Levitt (High Peak): To ask the Secretary of State for Health, when the Government will publish its response to the House of Lords Science and Technology Committee 6th report of Session 2000-01 on Complementary and Alternative Medicine.

(
155983
)

2

Mr Win Griffiths (Bridgend): To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make a statement on progress towards the ratification of the European Centre for Regional and Minority Languages.

(
155984
)

3

Mr Martin Salter (Reading West): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make a statement on the outcome of the Defence Training Review.

(
155985
)

4

Mr Russell Brown (Dumfries): To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what responses have been received to his Department's consultative document on screening arrangements for service personnel and civilians who have served in the Balkans and the Gulf and who are concerned about exposure to depleted uranium; and if he will make a statement.

(
155986
)

5

Mr Dave Watts (St Helens North): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what plans he has to replace the application forms for foreign nationals wishing to apply for leave to remain in the United Kingdom.

(
155987
)

6

Ms Karen Buck (Regent's Park and Kensington North): To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, when he will publish the report on the inspection of the Royal Parks Constabulary by Mr Anthony Speed; and if he will make a statement.

(
155988
)

7

Helen Jones (Warrington North): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, what funding he will make available to further education and sixth form colleges for pay; and if he will make a statement.

(
156060
)

8

Ms Hazel Blears (Salford): To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, when the Learning and Skills Council will be operational; and if he will make a statement.

(
156061
)

9

Mr Michael Jabez Foster (Hastings and Rye): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what measures he is taking to combat animal rights extremism.

(
156062
)

10

Mr Paul Clark (Gillingham): To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, when he will respond to the Home Affairs Select Committee's report on border controls.

(
156063
)

11

Mr Phil Sawford (Kettering): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, when PPG13 will be published; and if he will make a statement.

(
156064
)

12

Mr Martyn Jones (Clwyd South): To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, if he will speed up the arrangements for valuing animals that have to be slaughtered because of foot and mouth disease.

(
156065
)

13

Mr Bob Laxton (Derby North): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, if he will make a statement about light rail schemes.

(
156078
)

14

Mr Lindsay Hoyle (Chorley): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what targets he has set for the (a) Driving Standards Agency, (b) Driver Licensing Agency, (c) Vehicle Licensing Agency, (d) Vehicle Certification Agency and (e) Vehicle Inspectorate.

(
156079
)

15

Mrs Joan Humble (Blackpool North and Fleetwood): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, what steps he has taken to promote and implement the revised OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises in the United Kingdom.

(
156080
)

16

Mr Christopher Leslie (Shipley): To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department, what criteria the Lord Chancellor will use to assess applications for funding from the extra-statutory ex-gratia scheme, in Northern Ireland.

(
156081
)

17

Mrs Llin Golding (Newcastle-under-Lyme): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, when the inspectors investigating the affairs of Mirror Group Newspapers plc completed their report; and when it will be published.

(
156082
)

18

Helen Jones (Warrington North): To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, if he will take steps to reduce disparities between staff in contracted-out public services who are transferred on TUPE terms and other employees of the contractor.

(
156083
)

19

Dr Stephen Ladyman (South Thanet): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what plans he has to add to the targeted programme of trunk road improvements.

(
156106
)

20

Mrs Joan Humble (Blackpool North and Fleetwood): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what proposals he has to change his departmental expenditure limits for 2000-01.

(
156107
)

21

Ms Karen Buck (Regent's Park and Kensington North): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, when he intends to publish statutory guidance to local authorities on community well-being.

(
156108
)

22

Mr Colin Burgon (Elmet): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, when the Government will publish the response to the Environmental Audit Committee's report `Environmental Audit: The First Parliament'.

(
156127
)

23

Mr Colin Burgon (Elmet): To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, when the last meeting of Green Ministers took place; what was discussed; and which departments were represented by ministers and which by officials.